Louis hillebeand



(No Model.) a L. HILLEBRAND.

KEY.

No. 305,451. Patented Sept. 23,1884.

WITNESSES:

N PETERS. Pholo-lifllo nphor. Wil'l llglmk ac.

. vation of a modification.

NITED STATES ONE-HALF TO DANIEL WOLF, OF SAME PLACE.

KEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 305,451, datedSeptember 23, 1884.

Application filed March 5, 1884.

(No model.)

ment is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of a key embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof. Fig. 3 is a view of the blankfrom which the key is made. Fig.4 is a side ele- Fig. 5 is an end viewthereof. Fig. 6 is a view of the blank thereof.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the severalfigures.

My invention consists of the construction of a sheet-metal key, wherebythe same is strong and durable, and has a barrel open at both ends, allas will be hereinafter fully set forth.

Referring to the drawings, A represents a key embodying my invention,formed of the handle B, shank portion B of the handle, the barrel orstem 0, and the bit D.

In Fig. 3is shown the blank from which the key, Fig. 1, is made, thesame consisting of the portion a, the portion b, and the lips c c, onopposite sides .of the portion b, all integral and formed or cut from aflat piece of sheet metal. The portion b is longitudinally crimped,forming a groove, d, which subsequently constitutes one half of thepost-hole of the key, and the lipc is then bent over said portion b insemi-cylindrical form, producing the other half of the post-hole andshaping the barrel 0, the lip 0' now becoming the bit I), and theportion a constituting the handle D, which remains fiat.

It will be seen that the handle, barrel, and bit are integral, and thekey is produced in an easy, rapid, and inexpensive manner. Furthermore,as the barrel is formed of sheet metal, it is strong and durable, anddrilling of the same is avoided, and the bit, also formed of sheetmetal, possesses elasticity, great strength, and durability, suchadvantages not existing in a key formed of cast metal. The

opening of the barrel to receive the post is unobstructed throughout itslength, whereby it may be readily cleansed by the insertion of asuitable implement or by simply blowing through it, and the groove b iscontinued into the shank 13 toward the handle, thus crimping the shankand vastly strengthening the handle. I

In Figs. 4, 5, and 6 I show a stop, f, formed integral with the otherparts of the key, for

limiting the entrance of the key into the keyhole, the key in otherrespects being similar to that shown in Fig. 1, except in size anddesign.

I am aware that a sheet-metal key with a crimped flat handle is not new,and I am also aware that a cast metallic key has been made with itsshank open throughout, wherefore I disclaim such features; but in my keythe lip c is cut away on the side toward the handle, so that the end ofthe groove dwhichis formed 011 the shank toward the handle, outside ofthe barrel, is uncovered, making the said end of the groove constitute aside opening, from which dirt, 850., in the barrel may be readilyremoved and a cleaning implement may be inserted into the barrel ateither end, especially at the end toward the handle, withoutinterference of the bow portion thereof or the necessity of placing saidbow portion in the mouth to blow out obstructions from the barrel fromthe inner end thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1: A sheet-metal key formed with a flat handle, a shank, and a barrel,which latter consists of a crimp in said shank and a bentover lip, theend of which toward the handle is cut away, exposing the inner end ofthe crimp,which end forms an opening at the side of the shank,substantially as and for the purpose set forth. p

2. A sheet-metal key formed with a fiat handle, a crimped shank, and abarrel, which latter consists of the crimp in said shank and a bent-overlip, said crimp being extended beyond the termination of the barreltoward the handle, and the end of the lip toward the handle cut away,exposing the extended portion of the crimp, forming an opening at theside of the shank, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

L. HILLEBRAND. "Witnesses:

JOHN A. Wrnnnnsirnnu, A. I. GRANT.

